THIBODAUX, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team held on for a Southland Conference victory over Nicholls, 3-2, Thursday at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field, maintaining a share of first place in the conference standings.
 
Southeastern (23-26, 13-9 SLC) keeps pace with McNeese (28-21, 13-9 SLC) which won 23-5 at Houston Baptist.
 
The Lions took the lead in the third inning with a two-out single to center field off the bat of Rhett Rosevear, driving in Bryce Grizzaffi from second base.
 
SLU extended its lead to 2-0 in the sixth. Preston Faulkner plated Rosevear from second with an RBI single to right.
 
Nicholls (24-21, 11-11 SLC) responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, cutting the Lions' lead in half.
 
Tristan Welch provided an insurance run in the seventh with a solo home run. It was the ninth homer of the season for the senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
The Colonels scratched across a run in eighth, pulling back within a run.
 
Gage Trahan worked a scoreless ninth, picking up his ninth save of the season. The total ranks second in the Southland. It also ties Stefan Lopez (2011) for fifth on the Lions' single-season chart and Kade Granier (2015-19) for ninth on the program's career chart.
 
Will Kinzeler (4-1) earned the win, allowing one run in six innings of work. He scattered five hits and three walks, striking out three batters. Devin Desandro (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing three runs in 6.1 innings pitched.
 
Dalton Aspholm fanned five batters in two innings of relief work, bridging the gap between Kinzeler and Trahan.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Friday at 6 p.m. SLU is slated to start freshman left-hander Adam Guth (3-1, 5.24) on the mound and Nicholls will counter with junior left-hander Tyler Theriot (7-3, 2.88).
 
Fans in the Hammond area can listen to game broadcasts on the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network – KSLU 90.9 FM – in addition to online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, Mixlr and MyTuner Radio apps. The MyTuner app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most late model automobiles. Fans should search for SLU Athletics (Mixlr) or Southeastern Sports Radio Network (MyTuner).
 
RADIO SHOW
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser, presented by Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden, is slated for Monday at 12 p.m. from the restaurant in downtown Hammond. Fans can listen to every show online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, MyTuner Radio or Mixlr apps. The MyTuner Radio app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most newer automobiles.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
 
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or by visiting www.LionUp.com.
  
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter, @LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.